SANYA: Pakistan commissioned its first Hangor-class submarine in China, in a move aimed at strengthening its naval deterrence and expanding defence cooperation with China.
The ceremony, held in Sanya, was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest, along with Naval Chief Naveed Ashraf and senior officials from both Pakistan and China, including representatives of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
President Asif Ali Zardari attends commissioning PNS HANGOR, reaffirming that stability requires effective deterrence. The advanced submarine strengthens Pakistan’s maritime defence, protects economic lifelines & reflects strategic partnership with China. pic.twitter.com/xcsOt6Fa75
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 30, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari described the induction as a historic milestone, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a “robust, balanced and credible” defence posture. He said the country remains fully capable of safeguarding its sovereignty, maritime interests, and key economic lifelines.
Advanced capabilities
The Hangor-class submarines are equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), enabling extended underwater operations without surfacing. They feature advanced sensors, stealth systems, and modern weapons, including heavyweight torpedoes and submarine-launched cruise missiles with land-attack capability.
Other systems include optronic scopes, electronic support measures (ESM), advanced radar, and a combination of hull-mounted, flank, and towed array sonars, along with mine-avoidance technology and secure, encrypted communication links.
Officials say the platform significantly enhances Pakistan’s underwater warfare capability, enabling stealth operations and strengthening deterrence across the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean region.
Strategic role
Naval Chief Ashraf said growing disruptions at key maritime choke points are increasingly threatening global trade and energy security, underscoring the need for technologically advanced naval forces.
He added that the Hangor-class submarines would play a critical role in protecting vital sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and maintaining stability in regional waters.
President Asif Ali Zardari attends commissioning PNS HANGOR, reaffirming that stability requires effective deterrence. The advanced submarine strengthens Pakistan’s maritime defence, protects economic lifelines & reflects strategic partnership with China. pic.twitter.com/xcsOt6Fa75
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 30, 2026
The name Hangor carries historic significance for Pakistan. In 1971, the original PNS Hangor became the first submarine since World War II to sink a warship, a legacy the new platform is expected to carry forward.
Pakistan-China collaboration
The Hangor-class programme is among Pakistan’s largest naval defence projects, involving the construction of eight submarines in partnership with China. Four are being built in China, while the remaining units are under construction at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works with technology transfer.
Based on China’s Type 039B Yuan-class design, the submarines incorporate advanced stealth and acoustic technologies, reinforcing Pakistan’s sea-denial capability and long-term maritime deterrence.
The project also reflects deepening defence cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing, particularly in naval technology and industrial development.
